In the Ayodhya Ram temple offering theft case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has named 17 people, including the general secretary of the temple trust, Champat Rai, trustee Dr. Anil Mishra and construction in-charge Gopal Rao, as accused in the investigation report. An FIR against them is almost certain. This information has been revealed from sources.
At the same time, the SIT can reach Ayodhya again today for investigation. According to sources, during the investigation, the SIT team found the keys of the donation containers with Ramshankar Yadav alias Tinnu.
The SIT has identified about 150 such servicemen and employees, whose financial condition changed after the consecration of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024. Among them is Phoolkant Mishra, who is considered close to Champat Rai. He owns 3 luxury cars, which are worth a total of 25 lakhs.
SIT’s probe report sent to PMO
The SIT had submitted its investigation report to the state government on Tuesday. According to sources, it has recommended the registration of an FIR and the reconstitution of the trust. There is also a suggestion to appoint a senior officer as the CEO of the temple.
The team said that this is a 20-page preliminary report. It contains details of interrogation of 150 people. According to sources, the SIT has also recommended an audit of the offerings of the last 5 years. Suggestions have been given to prevent irregularities in offerings.
Questions have been raised on the role of the trust’s office-bearers. According to sources, the report has been received by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) from the state government. The PMO will decide which members of the trust should be kept or removed.
The flag of the Sheshavatar temple was hoisted, Anil Mishra welcomed the saints.
Here, the flag was hoisted on the top of the Sheshavatar temple in the Ram temple complex late on Tuesday evening. The 11 saints performed the flag worship amidst Vedic chants. Dr. Anil Mishra and Gopal Rao, in-charge of construction, welcomed the sadhus and saints.
The program was conducted by Champat Rai. The event was attended by 4,000 people. Both Deputy CMs Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Maurya were also scheduled to arrive in it, but after the death of 15 children in the Lucknow fire, both of them canceled the visit.
How the Ram temple theft was exposed.
According to sources, the embezzlement was taking place in the temple for years. The servitors were aware of the embezzlement taking place in the temple. They were not able to say anything because of the names of big people in it. In the last 2 years, Tinnu’s dominance increased, so it started pricking a group working in the temple. This faction planned against him. Grew closer to him. After knowing all the facts, the information was conveyed to the media. After this, the theft of offerings in the temple was exposed.
So far 2 crore recoveries have been made, 200 crores stolen are estimated
In the Ram temple theft case, 5 accused Luvkush, Avnish, Anukalp, Karune and Ramshankar alias Tinnu have been recovered from Rs 2 crore. Apart from this, gold was found from the house of Tinnu, a close aide of Champat Rai. According to initial estimates, the theft could be more than Rs 200 crore.
The SP chief and former minister had raised the issue of theft
- Pawan Pandey, who was a minister in the SP government, had claimed on June 7 that Rs 5 to 7.5 crore was stolen from the Ram temple. Akhilesh had also said that the government’s silence on the matter is suspicious. The court should look into the matter. Champat Rai had clarified that no such thing has come to light so far.
- When the controversy escalated, BJP leader Dr. Rajnish Singh wrote a letter to the Prime Minister on June 9 demanding a CBI inquiry. The next day i.e. on June 10, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) sought a report on the matter from the temple trust.
- On the recommendation of the Ram Temple Trust, CM Yogi formed the SIT on May 13. The team had examined the Ram temple for 6 days. The SIT comprises Lucknow Commissioner Vijay Vishwas Pant (IAS), IG Lucknow Range Kiran Shivakumar and Special Secretary (Finance) of UP Finance and Accounts Service Nilratan Kumar.